The New Testament letters to Timothy "my child whom I love" and Titus "my own true child in our common faith" manifest the great affection St Paul felt for his two companions. This affection was not merely a human emotion or friendship. It was engendered by a common dedication to Christ and his Gospel. It also entailed a great deal of trust. True, at some points Paul gave them both detailed instructions, but that was more a matter of responsibility than indicative of a lack of trust. Paul was obviously an older man and had had experiences that neither of his younger associates had. He had undergone a conversion experience that neither of them had had.

On Sunday, we read from the First Letter to the Corinthians St. Paul's profound insight into the diversity of gifts and service in the Church and the profound unity which unites us with the Trinity and each other. The Letters to Timothy and Titus, demonstrate even if only in a minor way, how Paul lived out his teaching in entrusting significant apostolic responsibilities to the two younger men. A deeper level of apostolic trust on every level of the Church would enhance much of our service and witness